Firewall performance including features and settings aw well as incoming and outgoing protection – incoming protection tests the firewall’s ability to detect and prevent external scans; outgoing protection tests the ability to detect and prevent unauthorised data being sent outward to the internet, including sensitive data such as credit card details.

Ease of use takes into account: installation, configuration and normal day-to-day use of the software as well as clarity/simplicity of the user interface. We also look at the user help such as guidance, help menu and options and updating the software.

System impact includes assessment of the software’s use of disk space and memory plus its effect on boot time and on common tasks such as program launch and use, file use, copying and conversion.